yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Nook Color General] Taosaur:
The main rationales behind it are:

it preserves your warranty

you still have access to stock features (kids books, in-store reading)

Barring a hardware fault that renders your NC completely inaccessible, you certainly can return your NC to stock after installing CM7 on the eMMC. If you use a ClockworkMod SD card and don't replace stock recovery, you can restore to stock just by interrupting the boot eight times.

I haven't seen sufficient evidence that either SD or eMMC runs better than the other--maybe there's a lesser chance of getting an unstable install on eMMC, but once you have a stable install on either medium, they seem to run about equally well. It's really just a matter of what you're comfortable doing to the device and whether you want access to the stock OS (though you can also set up a stock SD, something I intend to do when I pick up a spare SD).
[Nook Color General] androidmonkey:
Thanks for the explanation. Looks like I need to goto Radioshack and grab a card before my NC comes in on Friday.
[Nook Color General] natebetween:
Hey all...noob on this site..just getting started w/ my NC. Getting ready to get CM7 up and running.

Went to Radio Shack with my $10 coupon in hand and bought a Sandisk 8GB/4 and 16GB/4 for ~$33. I'm happy, because even if one is not great for the NC, I can still use it for several other applications.

After running CrystalDiskMark...I have to say I'm a little disappointed. Here are mysnumbers, using 5 test runs of 100MB. 50MB numbers were very similar. No Class 2 cards on the shelves.

Sandisk 16GB Class 4

Sequential Read : 10.580 MB/s
Sequential Write : 5.705 MB/s
Random Read 512KB : 10.439 MB/s
Random Write 512KB : 1.077 MB/s
Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 2.678 MB/s [ 653.8 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 0.446 MB/s [ 108.9 IOPS]
Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 2.548 MB/s [ 622.1 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 0.425 MB/s [ 103.7 IOPS]

Sandisk 8GB Class 4

Sequential Read : 10.594 MB/s
Sequential Write : 5.745 MB/s
Random Read 512KB : 10.489 MB/s
Random Write 512KB : 1.127 MB/s
Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 3.145 MB/s [ 767.7 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 0.482 MB/s [ 117.6 IOPS]
Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 2.997 MB/s [ 731.8 IOPS]
Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 0.466 MB/s [ 113.8 IOPS]
[Nook Color General] androidmonkey:
Where did you get the coupon?
[Nook Color General] natebetween:
Can't post the link since I'm a noob, but basically if you complete an online survey about your last transaction at radioshack, you can get a $10 off of $40 coupon.

Link for survey is w w w . tellradioshack . com

Basically it will take ANY info you put in it in any of the fields. If you haven't been to RS lately, I suggest you look up the store number of a RS near you and give them ALL perfect marks...that way you don't ding someone's store when you're trying to get your coupon.

Price for both was $39.98, but manager let it go through.
[Nook Color General] jay_ntwr:
I have a very stable 8GB SanDisk Class 4 but can't get the CrystalDiskMark 3.0.1 to run. Each time I try it says that "Failed Create File". I'm right clicking on both the 32 bit and 64 bit versions and run as admin in Windows 7 64bit on my laptop w/ the built in SD card reader and an adapter. Any ideas? Should the cards be formatted first or will this work as long as there is free space on them? There is little info in the help file or online as far as I can tell.

I also have a Microcenter 16GB Class 4 that works fine except for the web browsing thing. I was wondering if there is a way that I can rip the .img file off that card and move it to a SanDisk 16GB card with the "dd if=/" thing but can't figure out how to do that in Linux. I tried "sudo dd if=/dev/sdc if=/dev/sdd/ucenter.img" hoping to rip the card to an image file on a USB drive but it didn't work saying something on the order of the file wasn't present.

Thanks for the info in this thread and this forum. I'm really enjoying the Nook w/ CM7 on it.
[Nook Color General] Blue6IX:
Check for a little switch on the side of the memory card/adapter. It's probably just set to "read only" - you can't create the file, hence the error.
[Nook Color General] jay_ntwr:
My car isn't running either. Should I check for gas? Man, I feel like an idiot. That was exactly the problem. Thanks.

Also, I found a bit of a description on wikipedia for "dd" that is pretty good. I'm going to try to make an image and put it on the other card.

Results will be here when done.
[Nook Color General] jay_ntwr:
SanDisk 8GB Class 4:

Sequential Read : 10.243 MB/s

Sequential Write : 4.118 MB/s

Random Read 512KB : 10.128 MB/s

Random Write 512KB : 1.089 MB/s

Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 2.222 MB/s [ 542.5 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 0.484 MB/s [ 118.2 IOPS]

Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 2.239 MB/s [ 546.5 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 0.373 MB/s [ 91.2 IOPS]

MicroCenter 16GB Class 4:

Sequential Read : 15.749 MB/s

Sequential Write : 7.619 MB/s

Random Read 512KB : 15.197 MB/s

Random Write 512KB : 1.160 MB/s

Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 2.528 MB/s [ 617.1 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 0.034 MB/s [ 8.2 IOPS]

Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 2.757 MB/s [ 673.2 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 0.040 MB/s [ 9.8 IOPS]

SanDisk 16GB Class 2 (at least 2 years old from my phone):

Sequential Read : 19.416 MB/s

Sequential Write : 11.682 MB/s

Random Read 512KB : 19.135 MB/s

Random Write 512KB : 2.156 MB/s

Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 3.299 MB/s [ 805.3 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 0.021 MB/s [ 5.2 IOPS]

Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 3.450 MB/s [ 842.3 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 0.028 MB/s [ 6.9 IOPS]

SanDisk 16GB Class 4 (brand new, just purchased)

Sequential Read : 10.276 MB/s

Sequential Write : 5.470 MB/s

Random Read 512KB : 10.117 MB/s

Random Write 512KB : 1.319 MB/s

Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 2.180 MB/s [ 532.2 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 0.431 MB/s [ 105.2 IOPS]

Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 2.249 MB/s [ 549.1 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 0.503 MB/s [ 122.7 IOPS]

SanDisk 32GB Class 4 (brand new, got off eBay)

Sequential Read : 19.464 MB/s

Sequential Write : 6.450 MB/s

Random Read 512KB : 18.915 MB/s

Random Write 512KB : 2.097 MB/s

Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 2.640 MB/s [ 644.6 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 0.540 MB/s [ 131.9 IOPS]

Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 3.176 MB/s [ 775.5 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 0.607 MB/s [ 148.2 IOPS]
[Nook Color General] Aerlock:
For those looking for a specific place to purchase a card instead of hoping an praying that the one you find at your local B&M will work like I have been (up to 3 16GB cards right now 1 good 2 bad for CM7 on SD), this card right here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XZY71G

benches in the included adapter at:

Sequential Read : 10.535 MB/s

Sequential Write : 6.072 MB/s

Random Read 512KB : 10.370 MB/s

Random Write 512KB : 0.880 MB/s

Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 2.439 MB/s [ 595.4 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 1.281 MB/s [ 312.8 IOPS]

Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 2.679 MB/s [ 654.0 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 1.300 MB/s [ 317.4 IOPS]

Test : 100 MB [G: 0.0% (0.0/14.8 GB)] (x5)

Now these numbers seem to change for me depending on the test. The first test I ran on the Random 4k QD=32 got me 1.5MB/s write. The next 2 got me .8 and .9. This last one got the above. Curious about that but it seems I have a winner for CM7 on SD. I'll have to wait til Monday to try it our since I'm currently not able to access the internet at home.

- Aerlock
[Nook Color General] natebetween:
Thanks for the great posts all...I'm up and running and my Sandisk 8GB card is doing just fine. Gonna try it all over again with the 16GB card to see if I notice any difference.

Now on to the customizing! :-)
[Nook Color General] Grogck:
Picked up a Nook and am planning on grabbing a card at lunch. I gather from reading/searching this thread that Sandisk class 2/4 is a good general rule of thumb, but have noticed the 8GB versions seem to get mentioned a lot more often. Are the 16GB versions less reliable?

Staples/Radio Shack both have the 16GB Sandisk (class 2) on sale for the same price as the class 2 8GB so I was planning to pick the 16GB model up unless it's more prone to flakiness.
[Nook Color General] androidmonkey:
I am running a Sandisk 16GB Class 4, seems to be running pretty good.

How can I test how fast this card is in the Nook compared to others?
[Nook Color General] Blue6IX:
No, the 8 gig are just more available, and cost less money.

I have 5 of the 8 gig SanDisk class 4 cards. I have 3 of the SanDisk 16 gig cards, one in class 2, the others in class 4.

The 16 gig SanDisk cards outperform the 8 gig SanDisk cards across the board.

Consider that any one of my 8 gig SanDisk cards would run android fine, but the 16 gig cards run it better.

We generally recommend the SanDisk class 2 or 4 in either 4 or 8 gig capacities, due to cost and availability.

The results vary a lot from card to card, but all SanDisk results are many orders of magnitude faster then anything else we've seen so far - with regards to small block write.

From my own personal experience, and a few scattered results posted by people with 16 gig SanDisk cards, i'd say the 16 gig was a better buy then the 8 gig.

The general advice from the forum being more cautious, tested and true, the 8 gig version is recommended.

Whatever you do, just make sure it's SanDisk.

Edit to add:

Link : Crystal Disk Mark

To compare results to the most other tests in this thread, use the 50mb test at 5 times.

Just make sure to un-check the bundled promotional software when you install it.

You should test all, but the statistic that's most important for running the android os is the "4k QD=32" (write)

Something like .5 or better to run android smoothly, with live wallpapers and resource hungry apps like pulse.

Anything under .5 can potentially limit your usability of the device, but there are things you can do to help it.

Someone else who's been playing along may swing by sooner then i'll be back if you need more info, but probably everything else you need is spread out back to the beginning of the thread.
[Nook Color General] androidmonkey:
My question was how to test the speed on Android, not on Windows. Quadrant score?
[Nook Color General] Grogck:
N/M. Replied in wrong thread/tab
[Nook Color General] waxhell:
Went through SD card hell also -- here are the results of all of my SD cards so far (note, that I got thrown off, because after reading that SanDisks were good, I pulled out a unmarked SanDisk 2GB card and it also got poor results with CM7). Bought a new 16GB C4 SanDisk from Radioshack and it works brilliantly.

SanDisk 2GB - No Class Rating

Sequential Read : 9.982 MB/s

Sequential Write : 5.147 MB/s

Random Read 512KB : 9.998 MB/s

Random Write 512KB : 2.175 MB/s

Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 2.806 MB/s [ 685.0 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 0.030 MB/s [ 7.2 IOPS]

Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 2.895 MB/s [ 706.9 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 0.035 MB/s [ 8.6 IOPS]

AData 16GB - Class 10

Sequential Read : 17.720 MB/s

Sequential Write : 11.369 MB/s

Random Read 512KB : 17.607 MB/s

Random Write 512KB : 1.435 MB/s

Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 3.170 MB/s [ 773.9 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 0.012 MB/s [ 3.0 IOPS]

Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 3.893 MB/s [ 950.4 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 0.025 MB/s [ 6.0 IOPS]

Patriot 8GB - Class 10

Sequential Read : 17.724 MB/s

Sequential Write : 8.610 MB/s

Random Read 512KB : 17.340 MB/s

Random Write 512KB : 1.581 MB/s

Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 3.099 MB/s [ 756.6 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 0.014 MB/s [ 3.4 IOPS]

Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 3.723 MB/s [ 908.8 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 0.026 MB/s [ 6.4 IOPS]

SanDisk 16GB - Class 4 (Brand New - SDSDQ-016G-A11M, retail packaging)

Sequential Read : 9.966 MB/s

Sequential Write : 5.944 MB/s

Random Read 512KB : 9.844 MB/s

Random Write 512KB : 1.719 MB/s

Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 2.159 MB/s [ 527.2 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 0.617 MB/s [ 150.8 IOPS]

Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 2.344 MB/s [ 572.2 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 0.491 MB/s [ 120.0 IOPS]
[Nook Color General] slipshade:
i think these speeds turned out ok

ok, i admit i didn't read all 23 pages, but after purchasing a Transcend Class 6 8GB card today i saw this thread and got a bit worried. fortunately, that worry was unfounded. here's my results. for those who want to replicate, this was direct from Amazon in the frustration free packaging for under $20. hope this helps someone. and mea culpa if this data somehow doesn't conform to the thread rules.

Sequential Read : 18.63 MB/s

Sequential Write : 8.318 MB/s (9.246 MB/s)

Random Read 512KB : 18.77 MB/s

Random Write 512KB : 5.585 MB/s (6.162 MB/s)

Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 4.520 MB/s [ 1103.4 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 4.314 MB/s [ 1053.3 IOPS]

Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 4.739 MB/s [ 1157.1 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 4.211 MB/s [ 1028.0 IOPS]

this was tested in the nook color via usb 2.0 port from a Lenovo T400 laptop running Windows 7 Pro with CrystalDiskMark 3.0.1 x64. the x32 numbers were all within 5% of the x64 numbers with the exception of the two higher x32 read values listed in parenthesis. prior to test i formatted the card to Fat32 in 16KB clusters. ran several other tests with varying cluster sizes, and the absolute fastest was with 32KB clusters, but frankly they were all close enough to suggest the variance was due to random chance. also, testing via SD adapter resulted in much, much faster random 4KB read speeds and sequential writes, but oddly slower sequential read speeds.
[Nook Color General] mhconley:
I purchased a Transcend 8GB cl6 card to use on my NC based upon recommendations on other sites, then found this thread... oh well, it was only $18. So I bought a Sandisk 8GB cl4 - could not find any cl2 cards.

My results with CrystalDiskMark 3.0.1 using a Transcend multi-card reader on a USB 2.0 port:

Transcend 8GB cl6 (Cameta Camera, lightly used)

Sequential read: 19.34 MB/s

Sequential write: 12.59 MB/s

Random read (4K QD32): 4.068 MB/s

Random write (4K QD32): 0.021 MB/s (CDM 3 always hangs on the 3rd random write)

Sandisk 8GB cl4 (Amazon, new and unused)

Sequential read: 10.86 MB/s

Sequential write: 5.758 MB/s

Random read (4K QD32): 3.301 MB/s

Random write (4K QD32): 0.558 MB/s

The Sandisk wins where it counts. (sure wish you could still find cl2 cards)

Martin
[Nook Color General] androidmonkey:
Somethings not right with your test. Your numbers are 4x better than the "best" cards tested in this thread.
[Nook Color General] slipshade:
actually, this bears further investigation. my benchmarks are still accurate as described. however, after installing CM7 and testing the smaller partitions the numbers dropped to abysmal ratings, not even worth posting they are so bad. i am [very] busy this week, but i'll do some more testing next week to see if i can isolate the discrepancy.

my current hypothesis is that the cards rely heavily on parallel data access to achieve higher speeds, and the way these android builds format the cards strips that parallel processing capability (especially true for the 128MB partition of the root partition). if that's the case, whatever card has the fastest single channel data stream wins. and older cards probably relied less on multiple channels, hence the better single channel optimization.

i'd wager that with some mods to the file structure any card on the market would become viable and running android off a card would simply fly.
[Nook Color General] flatgreg:
Another thing to note is you tested w/your nook hooked up to a PC via USB. I got very similar results that I posted (post #199) but no one commented on it. When I tested the same Sandisk on two different card readers, the results were horrendous.

I tested before installing CM7, and I'll try to remember to test again post-CM7 install to see if my results are any different.
[Nook Color General] disneygirl74:
Ran a couple more tests on cards...

Sandisk Pre-class 1g MicroSD (had been used in 7-8 yr Flip Phone & an MP3 player)

Sequential Read : 0.000 MB/s

Sequential Write : 0.000 MB/s

Random Read 512KB : 0.000 MB/s

Random Write 512KB : 0.000 MB/s

Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 0.000 MB/s [0.0 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 0.000 MB/s [0.0 IOPS]

Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 2.781 MB/s [678.8 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 0.053 MB/s [12.8 IOPS]

According to this, it seems my ancient card is around twice as fast for this purpose as the Class 2 that was in my Droid and nearly on a par with the Class 4 SDs I tested. This surprises me a little. (again I used the same adapter as above)

Fuji Class 6 4g SD (Used about a year in WP Digital Cam)

Sequential Read : 0.000 MB/s

Sequential Write : 0.000 MB/s

Random Read 512KB : 0.000 MB/s

Random Write 512KB : 0.000 MB/s

Random Read 4KB (QD=1) : 0.000 MB/s [0.0 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=1) : 0.000 MB/s [0.0 IOPS]

Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 4.746 MB/s [1158.6 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 0.056 MB/s [13.6 IOPS]
[Nook Color General] darknetone:
Hmmm My cheapo Micro-Center 8GB runs CM 7 OK, it is useful, the UI is OK, Gmail is OK, Surfing OK,.... However I want to go internal, assuming battery life is as good as stock. Now I have just started running CM7, was running 1.1 then 1.2 and even 3.0 (on SD which by the way ran OK).

So what does OK mean, well it means useable, quite useable, but with the occasional delay.

Just thought I'd add my 2.5 cents to this thread with my experience. :-)
[Nook Color General] Barkai:
Hi all!

I want to buy a memory card for my nook, propably will arrive in a few days.

I found this store.

dz-tech.com

They sell both class 2 and class 4 Sandisk microsd cards.

Which one should I take? The class 2 or class 4? Is this store reliable?

Thanks!
[Nook Color General] disneygirl74:
My 16g Class 2 Sandisk from my OG Droid was running pretty well, but of course I couldn't resist tinkering further, especially when I found a 16g Class 4 Sandisk on sale at Radio Shack around the corner for 24.99! I didn't even think to look there. I've never been the biggest RS fan aside from looking for older audio cable adapters, etc.

So here are the results for that card, right out of the package:

Sandisk 16g Class 4 MicroSDHC

Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 2.658 MB/s [649.0 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 0.474 MB/s [115.7 IOPS]

Tested again with the card all set up with CM7 and I got even stranger results:

Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 2.622 MB/s [640.1 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 0.720 MB/s [175.8 IOPS]

And one more with an old Sandisk Adapter rather than the PNY (The card from RS didn't come with one)

Random Read 4KB (QD=32) : 2.615 MB/s [638.3 IOPS]

Random Write 4KB (QD=32) : 0.815 MB/s [199.1 IOPS]

Seems I'm getting the same sort of erroneous info someone above did, so I guess it doesn't tell us much. All the others tested the way it seems they should, but this one.

I'm truly not sure how it's running compared to the class 2. This time I've actually been logging any errors or issues. I wish I'd done that before. The only force closes I've had were a few all related to trying to set downloaded wallpaper, trying to find one I really liked. During the last of those errors I did lose my soft keys until reboot and my set "unhide key" (volume down) wasn't bringing it back.

This morning when I first took it off the charger and turned the screen on, it was going all wacko, not letting me do anything, repeatedly bringing up the keyboard screen and making that typing keys sound all on its own. A reboot fixed it. I've read this could maybe be caused by a smudged screen (or screen protector in this case) so hopefully that's all it was. I seem to have had a few "missed clicks" here and there that I don't think were user error, but it's hard to tell. I'm going to have to fuss with the thing a lot now. If it was just me it wouldn't matter as much but with my sister involved who isn't at all tech-savvy (or patient) I've gotta get it right. I hope I did the right thing when I told her to dump the other card and buy the one I just got at RS. I hate that I kinda feel my reputation's on the line here. lol For her, I need it to be pretty close to flawless. She said she's never even gotten a force close on her phone which I thought was weird, but it helps that until recently she's only done really run of the mill stuff on it with only pre-installed apps. I've been kinda hoping this is the one card to rule them all for this. I need it to be. :p
[Nook Color General] chedderslam:
should i go through the trouble getting the sandisk class 4

Tried a pny 16 Gb, horrible, obviously.

Found this thread and drove everywhere around town to find the sandisk class 4. Grabbed the class 2 16 Gb, sdsdq-016g-a11m. Runs a treat.

Here are my benchies:

--------------------------------------------------
CrystalDiskMark 2.2 (C) 2007-2008 hiyohiyo
Crystal Dew World :
--------------------------------------------------

Sequential Read : 10.072 MB/s
Sequential Write : 5.653 MB/s
Random Read 512KB : 9.941 MB/s
Random Write 512KB : 1.629 MB/s
Random Read 4KB : 2.306 MB/s
Random Write 4KB : 0.676 MB/s

Test Size : 50 MB
Date : 2011/07/06 15:20:48

--------------------------------------------------
CrystalDiskMark 2.2 (C) 2007-2008 hiyohiyo
Crystal Dew World :
--------------------------------------------------

Sequential Read : 10.067 MB/s
Sequential Write : 5.687 MB/s
Random Read 512KB : 9.938 MB/s
Random Write 512KB : 1.686 MB/s
Random Read 4KB : 2.243 MB/s
Random Write 4KB : 0.464 MB/s

Test Size : 100 MB
Date : 2011/07/06 15:29:39

--------------------------------------------------
CrystalDiskMark 2.2 (C) 2007-2008 hiyohiyo
Crystal Dew World :
--------------------------------------------------

Sequential Read : 10.063 MB/s
Sequential Write : 5.690 MB/s
Random Read 512KB : 10.063 MB/s
Random Write 512KB : 1.032 MB/s
Random Read 4KB : 2.158 MB/s
Random Write 4KB : 0.689 MB/s

Test Size : 500 MB
Date : 2011/07/06 15:48:23

--------------------------------------------------
CrystalDiskMark 2.2 (C) 2007-2008 hiyohiyo
Crystal Dew World :
--------------------------------------------------

Sequential Read : 10.090 MB/s
Sequential Write : 5.725 MB/s
Random Read 512KB : 9.892 MB/s
Random Write 512KB : 0.937 MB/s
Random Read 4KB : 2.025 MB/s
Random Write 4KB : 0.770 MB/s

Test Size : 1000 MB
Date : 2011/07/06 16:22:18

I've spent some time today reading through about 15 pages in this thread, and have seen that some feel that there is a limit on the speed that you will get, and a class 2 is fine. However, I would rather invest the time to get the class 4 if I will see a benefit.

So, would it be worth the trouble to hunt down a class 4? Or, based upon the benchies, should this class 2 I have be great?

Also, can anyone give a model number on the class 4 I should be looking for? Is is this one?

SanDisk 16GB Secure Digital High-Capacity (SDHC) Standard SDHC Card Model SDSDB-016G-P36

newegg item #N82E16820171463

(new user, can't post links)

Lastly, several people have mentioned running Pulse to check performance. I searched the market, and a ton of apps came up. Can someone give me the full name of the Pulse app I should be looking for?

Thanks for the great resource.
[Nook Color General] legoverse:
Pulse News by Alphonso Labs.

From what I've read here, and my own testing, there doesn't seem to be any sure-fire bet on what model number to get. They seem to vary speeds within each batch. And, at least in my searching, class 4's seem to be more common now than 2's.

That said, look around for a good price on a class 4 and go for it. As long as the random write is at least around 0.500 (give or take) it should work great. You might get lucky and snag one with a write speed over 1.000, but I'm not sure it will make a lot of difference.

BTW, test it in a card reader. I question the validity of testing the card in the NC using the USB cable. I tried that with my Transcend card and got GREAT random write speeds - but the card FC's often.